Means for unchoking waste-pipes.



G. PETERSEN. MEANS FoR UNCHOKING WASTE P IPES.

APPLICATION FILED IULY i8, |913.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

Sme/nto MEANS FOR UNCHOKING WASTE-PIPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

Application led July 18, 1913. Serial No. 779,884.

1"'0 aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE PETERSEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington,have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for UnchokingTaste-Pipes, of which the following is a specification.

The invention provides a device which may be used for unchoking wastepipes or for stopping leaky pipes until repairs may be convenientlymade, the device consisting essentially of a plug of flexible materialwhich will expand when subjected to internal pressure to cause such plugto fill a waste pipe and form a stopper to prevent the escape of liquid,thereby admitting of such waste pipes being unchoked or stopped in theevent of leakage to prevent waste until proper repairs maybe effected.

The invention further consists of a plug having an inlet and an outlet,the inlet being of larger relative size than the outlet so that theoutflow of liquid from the plug is less than the inflow, with the resultthat the plug is subjected to an internal pressure which tends toproduce an outward pressure to hold the sides of the plug in closecontact with the sides of the pipe in which the plug is fitted.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of constructionand combination ofparts, which hereinafter will be more particularly setforth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in theappended claim.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1is a detail View,

' showing the application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the plug, showing one of the terminalopenings closed so as to retain the pressure by means of which the plug-is expanded when the same is used as a stopper for closing a leak.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by

the same reference characters.

The plug l is preferably elongated and consists of a body constructed offlexible material, such as rubber, textile or a combination of suchmaterials. It is proposed to provide the plugs in various standard sizesto, suit different sizes of sewer and waste pipe. The elongated form ofplug is preferred since it presents a large surface to come in Contactwith the inner walls of the pipe, whereby the plug when in position isretained in place against ready displacement. Openings are provided atopposite ends of the plug and for this purpose. it is preferred'to havethe ends of the plug con-- tracted. fr-:One of the openings, as 2,constitutes the inlet and the other opening 3 the outlet. The inlet 2 isof larger diameter than the outlet 3, hence the liquid supplied to theplug under pressure tends to enter the same more readily than thetendency to flow outward, with the result that a pressure is createdwithin the plug which causes the latter to expand and to press againstthe inner walls of a sewer or waste pipe, thereby retaining the pluginposition when placed within such pipe, the cap 5, of course, being atthis time removed. A tube l is adapted to be connected with one end ofthe plug and is adapted to be coupled to a hydrant or other source oflwater supply whereby the plug is expanded when in position. When theplug is to be used simply as a stopper for closinga leaky waste pipe orsewer pipe the outlet end 3 is closed by the cap 5, hence the plug isretained in place by. the internal pressure. When a sewer or waste pipeis to be unchoked the plug is introduced into the end of such pipe,after which the tube 4 is connected with a hydrant or other source ofwater supply. `When the water is turned on the plug expands and isretained in place in the pipe 5 by frictional engagement. A portion ofthe water flows from the plug and enters the pipe 5 and being confinedin the latter by means of the plug 1 exerts a pressure upon theobstructing matter which is loosened and finally dislodged. When it isrequired to remove the plug from the pipe the pressure is'c'f, therebypermitting the plug to collapse, after which it may be easily withdrawnfrom the pipe 5.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of themethod of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention appertains, and while I have described theprinciple of operation of the invention, together with the device whichI now Consider to be the best embodiment thereof, 1 desire to have itunderstood that Vthe device shown is merelyillustrative, and

that such changes may be made when desired as are Within the scope ofthe claim appended hereto. It is to be understood further that themedium for expanding the plug may be Water, steam or air.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

As an improved article of manufacture, a hollow plug comprising anintegral cylindrical body of uniform diameter throughy. out itsl lengthand formed of flexible material capable of expansion, said body beingelongated and having its ends contracted and terminating in couplingextremities,

GEORGE, PETERSEN.

Witnesses:

ROBERT E. CORKERY, ERNEST E. BROWN.

